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195/60R17 vs 215/55R17 tire size comparison

195/60R17215/55R17

215/55R17 is 0.1 in (0.38%) taller than 195/60R17 and 0.8 in wider.

195/60R17 and 215/55R17 side by side

+0.1 in / +0.38%195/60R17: 26.2 in tall, solid line215/55R17: 26.3 in tall, dashed line195/60R17Width 7.7 in (195 mm)Sidewall 4.6 in (117 mm)215/55R17Width 8.5 in (215 mm)Sidewall 4.7 in (118 mm)
195/60R17 is drawn with a solid line and 215/55R17 with a dashed line. In each drawing both tires are to the same scale; the tread shoulder and bead curves are simplified. The table below has the same numbers.
Dimensions of 195/60R17 and 215/55R17, with the difference (215/55R17 minus 195/60R17)
Measurement195/60R17215/55R17DifferenceDifference %
Section width7.7 in (195 mm)8.5 in (215 mm)+0.8 in (+20 mm)+10.26%
Sidewall height4.6 in (117 mm)4.7 in (118 mm)+0.1 in (+1 mm)+1.07%
Wheel (rim) diameter17.0 in (432 mm)17.0 in (432 mm)0.0 in (0 mm)0.00%
Overall diameter26.2 in (666 mm)26.3 in (668 mm)+0.1 in (+2 mm)+0.38%
Circumference82.3 in (2092 mm)82.7 in (2100 mm)+0.4 in (+8 mm)+0.38%
Revolutions per mile769767-2-0.37%

Differences are 215/55R17 minus 195/60R17; percentages are relative to 195/60R17. These are nominal design dimensions. Real tires vary by brand, tread depth, wheel width, load and pressure.

The overall diameter differs by 0.38%, which is within the common 3% rule of thumb.

The rule of thumb keeps a replacement size within about 3% of the original overall diameter. It covers diameter only. It is not a fit, load or safety check, because width, wheel diameter, load capacity and clearance matter too. Confirm any size change with your vehicle's owner's manual or a tire professional.

Speedometer difference

When the speedometer reads 60 mph on a vehicle built for 195/60R17, the actual speed on 215/55R17 is about 60.2 mph. When it reads 60 mph on a vehicle built for 215/55R17, the actual speed on 195/60R17 is about 59.8 mph. These figures assume the speedometer is accurate on the original size and use nominal dimensions, so treat them as estimates.

Actual speed for a given speedometer reading, 195/60R17 against 215/55R17
Speedometer readsActual on 215/55R17 (built for 195/60R17)Actual on 195/60R17 (built for 215/55R17)
20 mph20.1 mph19.9 mph
30 mph30.1 mph29.9 mph
40 mph40.2 mph39.9 mph
50 mph50.2 mph49.8 mph
60 mph60.2 mph59.8 mph
70 mph70.3 mph69.7 mph
80 mph80.3 mph79.7 mph

A common rule of thumb is to keep a replacement size within about 3% of the original overall diameter. Check the tire placard on the driver's door jamb and your owner's manual for the sizes your vehicle was built for. Confirm any size change with your vehicle's owner's manual or a tire professional.

Which vehicles use each size?

These vehicles list the size among their verified sizes, by trim. Open one to see all of its sizes.

Check it in the calculator

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Shop for 195/60R17 or 215/55R17 tires

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Other comparisons with 195/60R17

Side-by-side dimensions and speedometer difference for sizes close to 195/60R17 in overall diameter.

Other comparisons with 215/55R17

Side-by-side dimensions and speedometer difference for sizes close to 215/55R17 in overall diameter.

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